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Peace Time and War Time
The Matembezi'Wasakaji operate in two seperate modes-- depending upon if they are fighting, or in a calm state. The traditional, preferred state is the calmest-- operating as a normal pride, although they will occasionally entertain a visiting dignitary. Peace time is extremely valuable, since all pride members are able to rest, relax, and hunt or pursue leisurely activities, both military and civilian alike. Food and drink is plenty, and cubs may even be somewhat unsupervised in play. Celebrations are not uncommon and even encouraged.

War Time situations occur not just when the pride is at war, but when the pride is threatened or harmed-- a cub napping may even set the pride into this mode. When this occurs, the Military is made active, and civilian pride members are encouraged to remain in the dens or close to the center of the pridal lands. Cubs are kept from sight or heavily guarded, and food and drink is rationed carefully to keep both the Military at full strength and the civilians healthy. Civilians may engage some normal functions, typically hunting for food, ETC, but are warned of the dangers and to identify themselves with the Guards when nearing the main dens as a pride member. In extremely severe cases, when invasion is imminent, the Civilians are even evacuated to a 'safe' portion of the lands.

Leadership

The Pride does not function as a monarchy, nor a democracy, but rather, based on intelligence. A pride member showing keen levels of understanding, leadership, and capability may become Commander when a Commander steps down, or not at all. There may be up to 3 commanders, or as few as 1.

Below the commanders is the Civilian Leader, whose function is to report the status and safety of civilians; the Chief Healer, whom leads the healers in caring for the sick and injured, and knows the most of herbology, and the Unit Commanders, whom lead the individual teams.

Should the Commander/s be killed, the most intellegent lion present will assume this rank during war time instead of going through and selecting the next-- so a Civilian Leader, Chief Medic, or Unit Leader may assume this position to keep the pride together, as the Commander/s have responsibility for all lives in the pride or under pridal protection. Only adults may be Commanders, except in certain circumstances.

Beliefs

The pride itself has no set religion, instead, encouraging freedom to practice one's own religion. Tolerance is encouraged, and finding neighbors whom worship two opposite gods may occur and noone's going to care unless fighting occurs. If enough believe in certain festivals and celebrations, that festival or celebration will be proposed to the pride and even accepted as general practice. You could even find a vampire or demon welcomed, as long as they aren't trying to kill everybody.

Murder, Theft, Rape, and things of that ilk are NOT tolerated in the pride beyond prey-- harming or tormenting pridal members is looked down upon and depending upon severity, the offender will be placed on trial for his crimes before a group of peers. However, the culprit is innocent until proven guilty, and you cannot be accused of the same crime twice (Such examples are being accused of killing your mate. If you are acquitted, even if their really alive and the pride member DOES kill them, you can't be charged publicly again). Punishment is decided upon the Commander, and ranges from community service such as hunting or cubsitting for weaker crimes to exile or execution. Treason is always treated with exile or execution.

All species are welcome, however, for Unit Commanders and so forth, strength is extremely valued. Weaker species, however, are very much welcomed and encouraged to join support positions or even welcomed as refugees. No species is turned away, not even vampires or demons, so long as they obey the law.

The Military
Pride members may join the pride if they are at minimum an adolescent, but it is not required. The military has it's own ranks and privileges, and they are the lions whom protect and patrol the Savannah for evil. However, the pride does not exist substantially without it. Should the military be too small, a draft may occur. (This means a list of healthy and able pride members will be assessed and noted as being sent into the military OOCly.) Pride members are usually punished if they avoid the draft, unless they have a health condition, or other conditions are met, such as being an only cub, or tending a sick or older family member.

Stones and Rank Markers
Stones don't serve a religious aspact to members of the pride so much as offer a utilitarian function. Stones are often gathered as found, and brought to the pride. Cut stones and precious metals, aside copper, are often taken from the dead of two-leggeds (humans), or from other such ruins. They may also be given by any visiting gods or goddesses. Members of the pride are usually noted by wearing a semi-precious stone with copper and a cord, rope, vine, or something of that nature as a necklace or bracelet. These are often made by crafters, however, stones all have a function for members of the pride, and crafters are trained from apprenticehood to recognize these types.

Aquamarine - Aquamarine is a civilian colour, noted by it's near-colourless nature. As it is clear, it easily conceals into fur when hunting-- it is also given to crafters to complete their own jewelry.

Garnet - Garnet, coming in every colour, is dominantly owned by crafters, whom wear one of every of the main colour stones. A single colour of garnet is also given by crafters to civilians for favours, as gifts, or as decoration and may be used in decorative jewelry or things of such nature.

Peridot - Worn by navigators. A very light green colour, that blends well with the area grenery.

Malachite - Worn by healers. A more blue-green shade meant to represent life and greenery, as well as the herbs used in healing. MAlachite may be found with Jasper on a Commander's rank marker.

Jasper - A red stone. Jasper is very rare for the area and is often gathered by making long journeys or by taking from two-legged villages and so forth. The red is meant to represent honour and courage. Jasper may be used on a Commander's rank marker as well.

Tanzanite - Used by the Civilian Leader. Blue is a power colour and meant to represent the leader's power to protect the civilian population.

Adularia - Also commonly called Moonstone. Adularia is used by only the commander, and when worn is surrounded by tanzanite and jasper. If the commander is a hybrid, it is also surrounded by Amethyst.

Amethyst - Used exclusively by hybrids, so not really a 'rank' stone. Amethyst is used to indicate hybrids, whom bear the strengths and weaknesses of two species. Those caught falsely wearing amethyst or abusing a hybrid are punished severely-- as it is not meant as an insult but rather an honour, as not even a Commander may wear amethyst unless they are a hybrid.

Of course, stones are not the only material used. Other things, like feathers, may also be added into a rank marker.

These are the SET ranks for the Matembezi'Wasakaji. Special ranks are always considered and allowed per the orders of the Commander. If enough need is generated, a new rank may always become permanent.

Leaders
Commander
Up to Three

The Commander or Commanders are responsible for the well being of the entire pride. The pride's survival or demise is heavily dependent on this key role, as they also represent the pride. It takes a great deal of stability to take this position, as well as intellegence, as the Commander/s is/are the wisest in the pride.

Commander(s): Open. The first two will be welcomed in as pridal Co-Owners.

Civilian Leader
One
Watches over the Civilians members. This member of the pride advises the Commander/s of the state of the pride's civilians and refugees, food and ration supply, and helps enforce pride law. Sometimes hereditary, but often this is subject to popular opinion.
Civilian Leader: Mioyo

Chief Healer
Up to Two
Leads healers of the Pride. They know the most of herbs, treating wounds, childbirth, ETC, and may be male or female. Not always popular, but always the most knowledgeable Healer/s. Sometimes have no bedside manner.
Chief Healer/s: None! Apply?

Unit Leader
Up to Five Currently. May Increase.
Leads groups of the Military through war time. One always reports to their Unit Leader as needed, and the leader must tend to these needs and maintain an effective unit. They make the Commander's battle plans work and often train new recruits.
Unit Commanders: None. Apply?

Diplomat
Varies
Diplomats are the members of the pride whom approach other prides and rogues to offer protection, and alliances. Diplomats may or may not be escorted by another pride member, although usually it is ensured they can protect themselves. Diplomats respond to the Commanders, and noone else.

Military Ranks - Combat
All of these are Unlimited

Warrior
They go out and do the actual fighting, protecting of foreign lands and creatures, and patrols. Strength is valued, and warriors may tend to be aggressive. Sometimes they bring lost cubs to the pride to be cared for.

Guard
Responsible for protecting pridal land and the civilians. They may go out with the Warriors, but often they police their own people unless needed otherwise. Guards are often leery of intruders, and will attack unidentified intruders during war time, driving them away.

Military Ranks- Support
These are also unlimited.

Healer
They tend to the sick and injured, both military and civilian. They ensure the pride's health and well being. Every unit also has a healer or two whom travels with them.

Navigator
Every unit has at least one navigator, but may have up to 3. Navigators help Units through the land, as well as visitors, and must know the pride lands the best, even the hiding places. If the unit is attacked, they must return and report it. Navigators also serve as messengers for units to the Commander. Navigators should be able to protect themselves, but don't normally have to protect others save cubs.

Civilian Ranks
Unlimited

Hunter
The default rank for non-military pride members. Hunters bring in food and if they find them, lost or orphaned cubs, or refugees. Hunters ensure everyone has enough to eat and stockpile as needed.

Crafter
Artists of the pride. They make things for both the military and civilians-- jewelry, decorations, ETC.

Nanny
Tend to cubs when parents cannot. Responsible for cub protection and generally keeping them from getting lost or hurt.

Youth
The default rank for any young in the pride. :>